tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-265979812008-07-24T18:40:23.899-05:00Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-23793398168352759372008-07-19T08:48:00.002-05:002008-07-19T08:58:01.137-05:00

Family vacation this year found us in Door County, Wisconsin with my in-laws. My people inhabit the left side of the state, so my experiences in Eastern Wisconsin are limited at best. The long and the short of it is, I'm really looking forward to returning. Door County is beautiful, and we woke up every morning to the soothing sounds of Lake Michigan and a beach right in our backyard. I'm still

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-28835474631021081752008-07-17T14:16:00.006-05:002008-07-17T14:44:31.962-05:00

(I'm still working on a novel-length post about our trip, but before you think I've left Noodletown to the tumbleweeds, here's a timely post about Birthday cakes!!) Some little boy turned one this month! And of course there has to be cake. Not just one cake, made with love by his Nana and sprinkled with blueberries (his favorite fruit) but two cakes. The second being from Wally's Pastry Shop, my

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-79585505875985098932008-06-23T21:04:00.004-05:002008-06-23T21:09:28.878-05:00

We haven't been eating out; we haven't been creating blog-worthy meals in. This week the boy had his first tapioca pudding...and that is about as adventurous as we've gotten around here. It has been almost 15 months since our last vacation. I don't think I need to tell you how badly I need this - my well is empty. I feel a little lost lately - without hunger, without inspiration - but we leave

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-18458414593584322282008-06-14T19:55:00.003-05:002008-06-14T20:00:01.955-05:00

I sent someone to buy peas at a stall in the City Market while the boy and I wandered off, and that particular someone came back with...gooseberries. Gooseberries are not peas. I can't say that I have eaten a gooseberry before today, or that I know what in tarnation to do with the things. To be frank, they look like a lot of work. Are they worth it?? Any tips, hints, help? Anyone?

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-76818147576413196292008-06-10T08:42:00.007-05:002008-06-10T09:05:37.141-05:00

It must be June, as I am in the mood for sandwiches and outdoor dining. Last night we made our way to Harry's Country Club (one of my all-time favorite spots for outdoor meals) and my pan-fried catfish entree (with hominy! yum!) reminded me of these lovely sandwiches, which will pass muster if you'd rather do your al fresco dining in your own outdoor area. They make a great meal with broccoli

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-85092179616626724382008-06-05T08:07:00.004-05:002008-06-05T09:28:30.144-05:00

One of my favorite sandwiches in Kansas City is the Philly Cheesesteak at Grinders. I've never been to Philadelphia, so real live cheesesteaks are not something I'm well aquainted with - but when a restaurant goes to the trouble of getting the fresh bread for their cheesesteaks direct from Philly, then I'm led to believe that something pretty special is happening. My stomach totally agrees. I

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-72258348703261256412008-05-25T22:22:00.002-05:002008-05-27T08:15:40.311-05:00

I bought two huge bunches of rhubarb stalks Sunday morning at the City Market. They were beautiful - bright red and inspiring; so I decided to make a pie. I didn't pick the best time to make said pie, what with the husband being gone and the boy deciding to give up his afternoon nap, but I am nothing if not an overachiever, so I did it anyway. I should lie to you and tell you that the boy made

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-5329923336595019872008-05-23T11:24:00.000-05:002008-05-23T11:24:05.872-05:00

Donut King is something we passed by for YEARS before we stopped in. And every time we drove by, I said to myself: That place has awesome doughnuts. You could just tell; it's no strip-mall doughnut spot. It's purple. With big lights around the sign. It's flashy. And since I need to be in a certain mood to really want a doughnut, and I didn't want to be disappointed - we just kept passing it by.

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-50634529346140341382008-05-22T14:17:00.004-05:002008-05-22T14:28:22.755-05:00

The bulk foods section of Whole Foods makes me very happy. I'm always the annoying one that walks up and down in front of all the plastic bins, getting in everyone else's way because I can't decide if I want regular couscous or the Israeli couscous or which type of granola sounds best to me this week - I mean I love the ginger snap so maybe I should stick with that or should I try something else?

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-39311969823265880982008-05-20T16:02:00.005-05:002008-05-20T16:11:36.614-05:00

So, it's been over a month, huh? Hm. Hello to the approximately three people still checking this blog! My arm did not fall off. Nor did either of my legs. Sometimes life gets in the way of things we like to do and then you realize how easy it is to slip out of a routine. What do they say? Don't complain, don't explain. Or something like that. So I won't do either. So...our CSA is in week four

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-88905236070525352372008-04-10T07:27:00.002-05:002008-04-10T07:30:15.205-05:00

I have a very large and very awkward splint on my left wrist/arm. So while I let that whole thing rest, I'm going to take a tiny break. Hunting and pecking is slow business.

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-37900957084244429752008-04-01T08:43:00.006-05:002008-04-01T09:44:54.819-05:00

**Last weekend we had an exceptionally romantic meal at Cafe des Amis in Parkville. I love how cozy the dining rooms are, and how wonderful the service. I love long leisurely meals where no one leaves the check and then tells you not to rush; at Cafe des Amis you sit and sip your wine and finish your conversations (and eavesdrop on those around you) and then ask for the check when you're ready.

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-65923037040297582232008-03-28T14:21:00.005-05:002008-03-28T14:42:27.485-05:00

In truth, we overcooked it a smidge, since we didn't have our thermometer on hand, but doesn't our first stuffed turkey breast look delicious?? This is what we ate for Easter, and for our first ever experience butterflying & de-boning a turkey breast, I was pretty impressed. (We ordered it without bones, but the bones were an Easter surprise! And an excellent learning experience.) Next time I'm

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-56364086753701353782008-03-22T16:22:00.000-05:002008-03-22T11:33:19.688-05:00

I am a rabid kottke.org reader. I know I'm not alone, but I just felt the need to out myself. If I'm not sure where I've gained a particular piece of interesting & useful information, I just guess that I've gotten to it through kottke.org, and most of the time I'm right. I've finally turned my husband on to it, and now we have entire conversations devoted to what we've seen on there. Jason Kottke

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-11015708043260104632008-03-18T08:32:00.006-05:002008-03-19T07:38:33.918-05:00

Todd Schulte, our very own Happy Soup Eater, was kind enough to let me come in and take photos at Happy Gillis last week. I went right after the breakfast rush, and right before the lunch one, and got to just enjoy the atmosphere and snap a few shots. We had been in for lunch their first week in operation and fell in love with the place. You will, too. To see my photos, click here for the Present

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-42390208020583856682008-03-12T19:17:00.009-05:002008-03-18T09:57:41.800-05:00

Remember the ad campaign for the Power and Light district? Specifically, the commercial that used that Petula Clark Downtown song?? I get that song in my head every time we drive through the P&L, and had it in my head during my entire dinner tonight at Chefburger. I forgot all my troubles and forgot all my cares. I employed jazz hands. I was kind of ecstatic about downtown, and with the soaring

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-82851999494358782552008-03-11T16:32:00.005-05:002008-03-18T09:56:52.304-05:00

I find it funny that Ina Garten's recipe for macaroni and cheese in her Barefoot Contessa Family Style cookbook is in the back with the kids stuff. I know, I know - it's kids food, or maybe it WAS kids food when the cookbook was published back in 2002, but mac and cheese has been promoted to the grown up table as of late. In my house it's always been grown up food...or maybe it's that we've

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-86944870175004566512008-03-08T07:04:00.000-06:002008-03-08T09:07:25.997-06:00

Just a little Tasting Note at Present Magazine about one of Free State's Seasonal offerings... click here to read more.

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-74309386086501030112008-03-06T20:00:00.006-06:002008-03-18T08:58:16.857-05:00

I love saving money. I also love being taken out to dinner. So today was, in essence, an awesome day, as my husband's folks saved money while taking us out to dinner at the Avenues Bistro in Brookside. They are big fans of the Avenues' Early Bird Special dinners, served every day from 3 to 6pm, and after dining there today, so am I. It's a limited menu, with smaller portions, but the choices they

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-38354469665921278812008-03-05T05:34:00.003-06:002008-03-04T21:41:08.877-06:00

I love all potatoes. Even the ones with the creepy eyes growing out of them - they can be made as delicious as those tiny buttery fingerling potatoes or those beautiful red new potatoes. All potatoes are equal in my eyes. Equally delectable. So I searched around for a "potato skin" type recipe and I came up with a Rachael Ray recipe with an annoying name but a perfect premise. She calls them "

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-19882834705497894402008-03-04T12:18:00.004-06:002008-03-04T12:48:16.417-06:00

They have received their fair share of awards - Best Breakfast, Best Mexican, 10 Best in KC - but I'm going to add my voice to the choir in case you haven't made your way out to Tienda Casa Paloma in Overland Park. When I walked in the door Monday I was kicking myself for not making it more often, and the kicks became a little more insistent once I sat down with a big bowl of their Tortilla Soup.

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-57968608219427944122008-02-19T14:42:00.008-06:002008-03-19T07:37:59.708-05:00

In spite of how hungry you may think you are, you really don't need your own order of french fries at LC's Barbeque. I learned that lesson the hard way. They are monstrous, and delicious, and my eyes were just a wee big bigger than my stomach when I asserted that yes, I would be ordering two orders of fries for the two of us. Lesson learned. The sandwiches were so awesome it didn't matter that

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-48208833921959692612008-02-15T11:02:00.003-06:002008-04-01T09:41:50.709-05:00

I like Genghis Khan Mongolian Barbecue. It is loads better than that BD's place out in Johnson County; they have excellent cocktails, cool photographs up on the walls and I just get a really good vibe every time I'm there. They're always really kind to the boy, and I like talking to the owner when she makes her rounds to make sure that everything was good and that we're happy. I especially like

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-26775583721504018512008-02-14T09:50:00.004-06:002008-02-14T10:42:35.490-06:00

It isn't too late to bring home a special treat for Valentine's Day. Last week I popped in to the Dolce Baking Company in the Prairie Village Shops and emerged with a big stupid grin on my face and a box filled with coconut macaroons. I claim to be indifferent to coconut, but lately nothing tastes better to me than this delicious cookie, and the macaroons I brought home from Dolce were the best

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26597981.post-714983734807332772008-02-11T11:06:00.001-06:002008-03-18T09:01:41.340-05:00

Another new piece at Present Magazine about the delectable drinking chocolates at Christopher Elbow's Boutique. Read it here. And while you're there, I'm a huge fan of the Caramels with Fleur de Sel. There is something magical about French sea salt and caramel together. Try one.

Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107840738139110636noreply@blogger.com